Shark Week (1988)
Discovery Channel's legendary annual shark programming event — the longest-running cable TV event in history, captivating ocean enthusiasts since 1988.
Shark Week - Series Information
- Original Title: Shark Week
- First Air Year: 1988
- Last Air Year: 2025
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Documentary
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (42 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 38
- Number of Episodes: 439
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Portuguese
- First Air Date: July 17, 1988 (United States - TV-14), July 17, 1988 (Germany - 12), July 17, 1988 (France - 12), July 17, 1988 (Brazil - 10), July 17, 1988 (Mexico - A), July 17, 1988 (Spain - 13)
- Networks: Discovery
- Production Companies: Discovery
- Production Countries: United States of America
Shark Week - Plot
The Discovery Channel's Shark Week, first broadcast on July 17, 1987, is a weeklong series of feature television programs dedicated to sharks. Held annually, normally in July or August, Shark Week was originally developed to raise awareness and respect for sharks. It is the longest-running cable television programming event in history. Now broadcast in over 72 countries, Shark Week is promoted heavily via social networks like Facebook and Twitter.
Shark Week - Trailer
See the action unfold in the official Shark Week trailer below:
Shark n' awe!
Where to Watch Shark Week
Looking for where to watch Shark Week?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Shark Week - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Josh Gates
- Eli Roth
- Shaquille O'Neal
- Josh Wolf
- Dwayne Johnson
- Rob Riggle
- Austin Gallagher
- Kina Scollay
- Craig O'Connell
- Jeff Kurr
Executive Producers
- Phil Craig
Shark Week - FAQs
When did Shark Week first air on television?
Shark Week first aired on July 17, 1988, on Discovery Channel. It has since grown into the longest-running cable television programming event in history, broadcasting annually — typically in July or August — and reaching audiences in over 72 countries worldwide.
Where can you watch Shark Week online?
Shark Week is available to stream on Discovery+ and HBO Max via subscription. It can also be accessed through Discovery+ Amazon Channel and HBO Max Amazon Channel. Individual episodes and seasons are available for purchase on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
How many seasons does Shark Week have?
Shark Week has 38 seasons as of 2025, spanning from its debut in 1988 to the present day. The series comprises 439 episodes in total, with each annual installment typically airing in July or August and featuring multiple shark-focused documentary programs throughout the week.
Is Shark Week still being made in 2025?
Yes, Shark Week is still in active production and currently classified as a returning series. Season 38, covering 2025, features 20 episodes. Discovery Channel continues to produce and broadcast the annual event, which has remained a staple of summer television programming for nearly four decades.
What is Shark Week about?
Shark Week is Discovery Channel's annual weeklong programming event dedicated entirely to sharks. Originally created to raise awareness and foster respect for these ocean predators, it features documentary specials, scientific explorations, and celebrity-hosted programs examining shark behavior, biology, and their role in marine ecosystems.
Who are the main personalities featured in Shark Week?
Shark Week features a rotating roster of personalities including explorer Josh Gates, filmmaker Eli Roth, NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, comedian Josh Wolf, Dwayne Johnson, Rob Riggle, and marine biologists Austin Gallagher, Kina Scollay, Craig O'Connell, and veteran shark filmmaker Jeff Kurr.
What is the content rating for Shark Week?
Shark Week is rated TV-14 in the United States, indicating that some content may be unsuitable for children under 14. The rating reflects the series' nature documentary content, which can include footage of shark predation, underwater wildlife encounters, and occasionally intense or graphic natural behavior sequences.
Why is Shark Week considered historically significant in television?
Shark Week holds the distinction of being the longest-running cable television programming event in history. Since its 1988 debut, it has transformed public perception of sharks, inspired generations of marine scientists, and evolved into a major cultural phenomenon promoted globally across social media and broadcast in over 72 countries.
More About Shark Week
Explore further details about Shark Week on these authoritative reference platforms.